Excess Ear Wax Build Up

Types of Ear Wax

There are actually two different types of ear wax, and they're genetically determined. The wet type, which occurs in Caucasian and African populations. This type of ear wax is yellowish or honey-brown and moist. The dry type is more likely to be found in Asians and Native Americans. It is more of a greyish color and is flaky in nature.

Anthropologists have actually used cerumen or types of ear wax to track human migratory patterns throughout history.

Excess ear wax build up can be annoying and even embarrassing when it becomes visible to others. But normally, ear wax serves a useful function because it guards the ear canals against small foreign objects and pesky intruders like insects.  Ear wax isn't actually wax, of course. It's a sticky substance secreted by the cerumen glands and it's natures way of trapping dirt, pollutants or living things that might get inside and do damage. Ear wax, then, is like fly paper. When it comes in contact with a potentially harmful or dangerous substance, it traps the substance and immobilizes it in place.

Despite its obvious benefits, excess ear wax is not a good thing, especially if it becomes compacted and begins the clog the ear canal. Excess ear wax can cause sound to become muffled and make it difficult to hear. It can also cause a "tickle in the throat" because the ear shares some of the same nerves the throat does, causing an urge to cough.

Impacted, hardened ear wax can be painful. When it builds up and reaches this stage, ear wax should be cleaned out. Excessive ear wax build up can happen to anyone, any time. You can even have a lot of ear wax in one ear but not the other, all at the same time.